The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-08-19
UNDER THE SHADOW.

"No,'' said the lawyer; II shant press
your claim against that man, you can get
some one else to take the ease, or you
can Withdraw, just as you please"
Think there's any money in it ?"
There would probably be some
money in it, but it would come from the
sale of the little house the man occupies
and calls home > but / don't want u
mcddle with the matter, anyhow"
Got frightened out of it, eh ?''
NO, wasn't frightened"
81 suppose the old fellow begged hard
to be let off"
"Well, yes, he did"
"And you caved, likely" -
'No, didn't speak word"
& ooh, he did all the talking, eh ~
"Yes."
'What in creation did you DO ?''
81 believe | shed a few tears" -
And the old fellow begged you very
hard, you say ~
NO, I didn't say so he didn't speak
word 10 me"
We'll, may I inquire whom he did ad-
dress in your hearing ?"
God Almighty"
"Ah, he took to praying, did hep"
Not for my benefit in the least. You
sec, l found the little house easily
enough, and Knocked on the outer door.
which stood ajar, but nobody heard me :
so / stepped into the little hall, and saw
through a crack OF the door 4 COSY sitting
room and there on bed, with her sill
yer head high on pillows, was an old lady
VINO looked fOr all the world lust as nv
mother did the last time | saw her on
earth. Well, l was on the point of
knocking when she said -
Come, father, now begin"
And then down on his knees bv her
side went an old white-headcd man. still
older than his wife, l should Judge and
l couldn't have knocked then for the life
OF me. Well, he began first he remind
ed God that they were still his submis-
slYe children, mother and he, and no
matter what he saw fit to bring upon
them they shouldn't rebel at his will.
OF course, II was going to be very hard fog
them to go ont homeless III their old AGE
especially with the poor mother so sick
and helpless, and Oh how different il
might have been If only one OF their bows
had been spared To them then his voice
broke, and a thin, white hand stole from
under the covcrlet and moved softly over
his snowy hair; then he went on To re-
peat that nothing could be SO sharp again
rs the parting with those three sons-un-
les mother and he should be separated
but at last he fell to comforting himself
with the fact that the dear Lord knew il
WAS through no fault OF his own that
mother and he were threatened with the
loss Oi their little home, that meant beg
gary and the alnshOuse, a place they
prayed TO be delivered from entering if It
could be consistent with Gods will and
then he quoted 4 multitude OF promises
concerning the safety OF those who put
their trust in the Lord. In fact it was
the most thrilling plea that ever listened
-. nd I.aLsr h.. ! !
ing upon those who We're about 10 de-
mand justice.
The lawyer continued more slowly
than ever:
"And-I-believe-Td rather go to the
Poorhouse myself tonight, than to stain
my hands with the blood OF such prose-
cution rs that
a little afraid to defeat the old mans
prayer, ch?'
Bless your soul, man, YOU couldn't de-
feat 1t, said the lawyer. Il tell you he
lett 1t all subject 10 the will OF God but
he claimed that we were told 10 make
known our desires to God; and Of all
the pleading | ever heard, that beat all.
You sec, | WIS taught that kind of thing
myself IN my childhood, and why | was
sent to hear that prayer I'm sure l don't
know; but | hand the case over"
Il wish you hadn't told me about that
old mans prayer remarked the client,
twisting about uneasily.
"Why so"
"Well, because I want the money the
place would bring, but l was taught the
Bible straight when | was n youngster.
and I'd hate to run counter 10 that YOU
tell me about. l wish you hadn't heard
a word OF 1t, and another time | wouldn't
listen TO petitions not intended for my
ears"
The lawyer smiled.
my dear fellow" he said, "you arp
wrong again; it was intended for NV
ears, and for your ears, too, my friend;
and 1t WAS GOd Almighty vino intended
IL My dear old mother used to sing a
song about Gods moving III mysterious
way, that | remember"
We'll, my mother used to sing it too"
said the client. and he twisted his claim
papers in his fingers. 'Iou call in the
morning, if you like, and tell mother
and him that the claim has been met"
In mysterious way" added the
lawyer, smilingly.